A Western Australian coroner has determined that the fatal shooting of an Aboriginal woman in a Geraldton street in 2019 was preventable. The coroner, Ros Fogliani, found that police were not adequately trained and did not attempt to de-escalate the situation before shooting JC, a 29-year-old Ngarlawangga Yamatji Martu woman. Fogliani emphasized the need for change to improve relationships between WA Police and Aboriginal communities and made nine recommendations to address this issue.
JC was shot by Brent Wyndham, who claimed self-defense as he believed JC posed a threat due to her possession of a knife and scissors. Wyndham was acquitted of murder and manslaughter in October 2021. JC’s death followed her release from prison and involuntary mental health treatment, highlighting her distress and instability. The police response faced criticism for their quick decision to shoot JC, raising questions about de-escalation efforts.
Fogliani criticized Wyndham’s claim that he had no other options but to fire, stating that he put himself in a situation where deadly force became an option. The coroner also noted that the police officers involved did not consider JC’s mental distress or the cultural context. JC’s death reignited historical mistrust and anger towards law enforcement and is seen as a blow to WA Police’s efforts to build trust with Aboriginal communities.
Fogliani recommended reviewing the use-of-force training for police officers and exploring ways to include mental health practitioners in crisis situations. She hopes that these recommendations will prevent similar incidents and improve care and support for Aboriginal individuals in crisis.
Indigenous Australians in crisis can contact 13YARN on 13 92 76 or other support services such as Lifeline, Mensline, or Beyond Blue.
